St. Agnes St. Agnes St. Agnes Catholic Community A Perpetual Adoration and Stewardship Parish PARISH OFFICE 3966 Chestnut Ave. Concord, CA 94519 Tel: (925) 689-0838 Fax: (925) 689-7899 Office Hours: 9:00am - Noon * 1:00pm - 4:30pm, Monday-Thursday Website: www.stagnesparish.net * E-Mail: [email protected]January 1, 2017 January 1, 2017 THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD On January 1st we celebrate the day that Jesus was taken to the temple by his parents and named. On December 18th we celebrated baptisms that named three children as members of our Catholic faith. We welcome Myles Benitez, Grayson Hoshido and Michael Fahey. May their lives be surrounded by goodness, and may they walk in the light of the Lord.
Secretary: Ana Kelley [email protected] Website: www.stagnesconcord.com
SCHOOL OFFICE
Dear Friends, Happy New Year! Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Other themes come together today: the circumcision and naming of Jesus that took place on the eighth day after his birth; World Day of Prayer for Peace - our Holy Father asks us to pray especially for peace in the Holy Land. The first lesson that we need learn in this new year is to put God in first place. If we get our relationship to God correct, all other relationships fall into proper order. I remember a woman in her thirties who was making a novena to St. Anthony, asking his help to find a good man. I asked her what she was looking for in a future husband. "Father," she said, "I don't care if he is handsome or ugly, fat or skinny, rich or poor. I want a man who will love God more than he loves me." A few months later I saw her in church with a young man. You wouldn't call him handsome and not at all rich - but he had a deep faith in God. Second lesson is regarding our relationship as men and women. We need to look at each other as brothers and sisters; we tend to objectify the other person. St. Paul tells in the second reading that we are children of God the Father and so we need to treat each other as brothers and sisters. The third lesson is something we have spoken about a lot—be the Stewards of God's gifts. All that we are and all that we have is a gift from God and it is our responsibility to use them for the greater glory of God and well-being of our brothers and sisters. I would like to conclude with the Levitical blessing, which Moses instructs his brother Aron: “The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Fr. Johnson
WE ARE BLESSED!
We are so very blessed and thankful to have a group of people who share their talents and skills to make our sanctuary and church look beautiful throughout the year—and they outdid themselves for Christmas! Thank you to all of the members of the Environment Committee and their helpers in decorating St. Agnes for Christmas. Your talents have brought joy to many.
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DAILY MASS IN THE CHAPEL Monday - Saturday at 8:00 AM. (Communion Service on Wed.)
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Chapel Contact Sumner or Veronica Peery at 827-0916 for scheduling.
FOR ADULT LEARNING:
SCRIPTURE SHARING - Thursday 9:30 a.m. in the Ministry Ctr.
FOR MINISTRY:
PRAYER TREE - A ministry of people who pray specifically for those who are ill. Please notify the parish office if you or a member of your family are in, or going into, the hospital.
HELPING HANDS: Please call Chris Artale at 827-3713.
MARTINEZ SHELTER MEALS: Plan a meal for 35 residents. Purchase & prepare food; serve dinner at the shelter. Please contact to volunteer: Yvonne Mennel: 925-200-6716 or [email protected].
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MINISTRY Please contact the St. Vincent de Paul Hotline at (925) 689-0838, Ext. 250.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please call Naomi (925) 768-3587.
CARING HANDS-JOHN MUIR HEALTH: Contact Kathy Friend by e-mail at [email protected].
Faith and Spirituality
PLEASE PRAY FOR HEALING
Spencer Allen Ben Andersen Kay Andersen Ron Artale Rolinda Atienza Mary Lou Austria GinaMarie Balbuena Vivienne Behrens Amalia Bunge Ana Bunge Goody Carino
Marcia Carter Marge Casey Trinity Cereghino George Conlow Rose Viagi Cuinonez William Cumins Dave Dewan Stephen Dixon Amador Rodriguez Espinoza Marietta Finnegan
Amia Garcia Guy Grace Maria Hills Roberto Icaza Ken Klovee Camila Koven Fr. Peter Loffredo Joseph Mallon Maria McCarthy Marv McKean Rosalia Messina
Joshua Monitz Chris Morris Evangeline Narag Edward Nettleman Carol Peters Rich Peters Micah Pilkerton Joanna Poplawska Mary Pulliam Elizabeth Renfro Joseph Riccobuono
Laura Rizza Ellie Rowe Gina Rubin Maureen Ryan Connie Schulte Rick Smith Carolyn Thompson Laura Wehrlie Pat Weisinger
Please call the church office to add/remove names from the above list.
From the Bay Area Crisis Nursery: “On behalf of the Board and staff of the Bay Area Crisis Nursery and those who come to us for comfort, care and loving support, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support of the Nursery and the work we feel privileged to do. We appreciate your donation of $350.00 dated 12/07/2016 and thank you on behalf of all the children and families that will benefit from your generosity….” From the Family Justice Center: “Thank you so much for your continued support. We appreciate your partnership and generosity….Your support goes a long way to ending interpersonal violence in our community. From Birthright: “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Birthright, our volunteer staff, and the clients we serve, we would like to express our deep gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of love in the form of beautiful new maternity clothes, wonderful toys and gorgeous quality books for the women and families we serve here at Birthright. Thank you also for the number of gift cards we received for practical, low priced stores where we can purchase more items during the year. We were all very moved by your kindness and generosity and support of our ministry of helping pregnant women…”
THANK YOU’S FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
As part of our tithing (stewardship) from our Sunday collection plate, St. Agnes Parish in turn donates to many local organizations. In the right column are letters from two of those groups to whom we recently donated $350 each as well as to one of the organizations we helped through the Giving Tree.
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Calendar for the Week Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 31, 2016 5:00 p.m. Ulisses Fonseca—Repose
Sunday, January 1, 2017 7:00 a.m. Fr. Peter Loffredo—Special Intention Peter McCarthy—Special Intention
9:00 a.m. Dustin Davis—Repose Hung Le—Repose
10:45 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
5:00 p.m. Debbie Marconi—Repose
Monday, January 2, 2017 8:00 a.m. Fernando Cuenco— Sal & Irene Lo Grasso—Repose
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Michael Espinal—Repose Ramon Santos—Repose
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service Only
Thursday, January 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. Sal & Irene Lo Grasso—Repose
Friday, January 6, 2017 8:15 a.m. Debbie Marconi—Repose
Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:00 a.m. Don Smith—Repose
5:00 p.m. Ellen Haley Acierto—Repose
Sunday, January 8, 2017 7:00 a.m. For the People of St. Agnes, Living and Deceased
9:00 a.m. Gloria Schmidt—Repose
10:45 a.m. Cy Coenen—Repose C. Liona Cummins—Repose Anne Flaherty—Repose
5:00 p.m. Oscar & Kay Grewis—Repose Don Smith—Repose
Parish Events and Meetings
Sunday, January 1, 2017 Knights of Columbus selling Crab Dinner Tickets after all Masses. Monday, January 2, 2017 THE MINISTRY CENTER WILL BE CLOSED. 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass—Chapel 11:00 a.m. STARS Luncheon—Church Hall 6:45 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul—A.R. 7:00 p.m. Baptism Prep Class—E.R. 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Officers Meeting—G.P.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 8:00 a.m. Communion Service—Chapel 7:00 p.m. Santo Nino Novena—Chapel 7:30 p.m. Jim Gill’s Band Practice—Church
Thursday, January 5, 2017 8:00 a.m. Mass—Church 9:30 a.m. Bible Study—A.R. 6:00 p.m. School Board—8th Grade Classroom
Friday, January 6, 2017 8:15 a.m. First Friday Mass—Church 1:00 p.m. School Mass 6:45 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet—Chapel
Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:30 a.m. Lector Practice—Church 9:00 a.m. Work Party—Grounds 9:00 a.m. 1st Communion Parent Retreat— Cauchi Hall
Knights of Columbus selling Crab Dinner Tickets after 5:00 p.m. Mass. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: World Day of Prayer for Peace; New Year’s Day Monday: Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen Tuesday: The Most Holy Name of Jesus Wednesday: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Thursday: St. John Neumann Friday: St. André Bessette; First Friday Saturday: St. Raymond of Penyafort; First Saturday; Julian Calendar Christmas
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Parish News and Activities
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
JANUARY
3 STARS Potluck Luncheon—11:00 a.m. 13 Santo Nino Mass at 6:30 p.m. 21 Women’s Retreat—9:00 a.m. at Cauchi Hall 21 Knights of Columbus Crab Dinner, 6:00 p.m. 28 La Morita Mexican Dinner, 6:00 p.m. 29 Catholic Schools Week—Open House at
School following 9:00 a.m. Mass
CRAB & TRI-TIP DINNER
The Knights of Columbus will host its annual Crab and Tri-Tip Dinner on Saturday, January 21, 2017. No-host cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. The Concord High School Ladies First Choir will provide entertainment.
Early Bird Tickets Prices to January 1 are $45 each. From January 2-17, price is $50. Children 4-12—$5 (no crab). Under 3, no charge.
For information, call Sumner Peery at 510-376-0326 or e-mail [email protected] or David Wood at 925-207-0270, e-mail [email protected]. Checks to be made payable to “Knights of Columbus #15344.”
POTLUCK JANUARY 3rd
St. Agnes Retired Seniors will meet for a potluck luncheon this Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 11:00 AM in the church hall.
All seniors and guests are welcome to attend. No reservations are required for January, but attendees are asked to bring their choice of either a main dish, a side dish, a salad, or a dessert (enough for 6 help-ings).
There are no membership fees required, and new members are encouraged to join.
For further information about STARS, please in-quire at the Welcome Table after weekend Masses, or at the Parish Office during the week.
FAITH FORMATION/EDGE Faith Formation and EDGE classes will resume on Monday, January 9. We hope you are experiencing fun family time and safe travels.
LIFE TEEN A BIG THANK YOU to all who donated and supported the Life Teen Bake Sale December 17-18. It was a great success!!!
ST. AGNES SCHOOL REGISTRATION St. Agnes School has 2017/2018 Registration Packets available for pre-school through 8th Grade. A Kinder Information Night is taking place on January 9th for all prospective families. Please contact the school at 925-689-3990 or visit their website at www.stagnesconcord.com.
St. Agnes Continues the Christmas Tradition at St. Mary’s
Approximately 115 seniors at St. Mary’s Center in Oakland enjoyed a festive Christmas meal thanks to the generosity of so many members of our Parish. A fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served, and Father Johnson joined us and gave the Blessing before the meal. Our St. Agnes Choir entertained the many seniors by singing Christmas carols, and there was even a visit by our very own Santa. Many thanks to all those who helped make this event such a success, including all those who roasted and donated turkeys, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy; the Knights of Columbus who unselfishly gave up their Sunday morning to carve the turkeys; the ladies from Helping Hands who donated the pumpkin pies; the St. Agnes Choir who sang so beautifully; Father Johnson, who no matter how busy he is on a Sunday, comes to the event; our very own St. Agnes Santa, because what would a Christmas event be without him; the many volunteers who worked so tirelessly in the kitchen preparing and cleaning up after the meal; and Parma Deli who so graciously lent us some of their catering equipment which made the job so much easier. It was a great day, and a good time was had by all, especially the seniors!
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CHECK OUT THE NEW SAINT AGNES PARISH WEBSITE at www.stagnesparish.net :
As of December 17, 2016, St. Agnes has a refreshed look for our web site, streamlining functionality and improving capabilities to tailor the information everyone receives about our community. With the formation of the Communication’s Committee and working with key parishioners, we have a new site redesign and new web hosting provider. This new design and hosting provider allows us to utilize technology to provide timely information regarding events and opportunities in our Parish, School, and the Ministries that bring us together as a community.
The opportunities realized with the new site include: easier updates to Mass Times, Calendars, Ministry information, and Event promotions. We are able to provide Vatican news content on the left side of the home page, and St. Agnes Facebook and the Pope’s Twitter feed on the right side. In addition, the new host offers greater responsiveness to both desktop and mobile devices. The changes enable us to be nimbler in the digital space and streamline our communication efforts. More individuals and groups can be involved in updates, which offer the opportunity to share very current information for ministry planning and organization as well as promotion of parish-wide events.
A New Look and Feel, With Customizable Content - Along with the streamlined navigation and positive reflection of our Parish life, featured content is now displayed as direct feeds from the USCCB and the Vatican offering daily readings, and external news sources about stories relevant to our faith and community. The site now provides central access to our Ministries under the Ministries Menu link. A person can simply hover over the Ministries Menu link to display all the committees/groups or simply click on the Ministry Menu link which will provide, on the left column, a tree menu for each category - Worship, Gathering, Formation, and Reaching Out. Under each category all the different committees/groups will be displayed. Each committee/group now has the opportunity to post information on upcoming or current events, visions, and how everyone can participate.
Social Networking will also be available via Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Musical.ly for our groups to share with everyone, as the many external social channels and personal mobile devices provide opportunities to leverage this type of content. A search box on the upper right-hand side of the homepage now makes it easier to filter and find what you might be looking for. At the top of each page under the menu bar are those familiar icons for sharing and connecting from Facebook to Google.
More Content is on the Way—We have asked all our ministry leaders to provide the Communications Committee with at least a brief (paragraph or two) description of their ministry and contact information. As these summaries are received, they will be added to the website. Early in 2017, the Communications Committee will be setting up several training sessions for Ministry members who want to manage their own content. This is the key to making our website the go-to place for Parish information.
If you have any questions or would like to add content for your ministry page, please contact Mike McDermott at [email protected], 925-451-1072.
LA MORITA MEXICO YOUTH MISSION DINNER
Tickets will be on sale after all Masses January 14 & 15 and January 21 & 22 for our Annual Mexican Dinner. Come to St. Agnes Church Hall on Saturday, January 28 and enjoy a wonderful Mexican meal for $20 a person or $65 a family. Local youth and their adult sponsors are raising funds again to build homes in Tijuana during Easter week. This is the second year with our new name, La Morita Mexico Youth Mission, and we are under the sponsorship of our new non-profit corporation.
Community Activities IS GOD CALLING YOU?
Is God calling you to the priesthood? St. Patrick’s Seminary Vocation Discernment Retreat Weekend is on January 27-29 for men 21 years and older. If you might be a good candidate, please email [email protected] or call him at (510) 267-8345. More information can be found at [email protected]. The deadline to register for the weekend retreat is January 16.
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Holiday Celebrations!
Above, the Stewardship Committee enjoys their annual Christmas party.
Right, the St. Agnes choir celebrate the season in their Santa hats.
Above—St. Agnes parishioners and Santa provided a Christmas Dinner on December 18
